I don't think Lidstrom will be around .. Nids will be a bit old ... maybe at #10 .

Jamie

10-18-2003, 08:43 PM

Trying to go off the top of my head of who I think will be the top 10:
Chara
Gonchar
Pronger
Jovo
Redden
J-bo
Lidstrom
Brewer
Hamrlik
Hatcher

I'll add, prime age for defensman is later than the other positions. Their prime is usually the 32-26 age range. Saying that, and having J-Bo on this list is quite a huge compliment from me. And I think Chara may be the most underrated (hate to use that word)player in the league. I'm not a Sens fan, but this guy is awsome, and if the Sens offered Chara to the Oilers(Who are my team) for Brewer, I'd be very upset if they didn't take it.

This is my stance on Bouwmeester and Neidermayer who I consider to be very similar players except for Bouwmeester's obvious size advantage. Neidermayer hasn't reached his peak yet IMO (and believe me it hurts to say that as a Flyers fan) and when he does in a year or 2 he will be a Norris Candidate. Bouwmeester will follow a similar career and won't be a serious Norris candidate until his 30's but this is just my opinion.

Bo

10-18-2003, 09:13 PM

My new list after seeing some names I forgot...

1. .

It may not look like it now, but I would put Mike Komisarek on any top 10 list 5 years from now. He has more upside than Boumeester. It will just take Komo a bit longer because he is so big and got a late start in the game.

tom_servo

10-18-2003, 09:27 PM

*Pretends I'm not a Penguins fan*

I think Noah Welch could be a darkhorse.

#37-#93-#27*

10-18-2003, 10:16 PM

It may not look like it now, but I would put Mike Komisarek on any top 10 list 5 years from now. He has more upside than Boumeester. It will just take Komo a bit longer because he is so big and got a late start in the game.
No way does he have more upside then Bouwmeester. There is only one young defenseman who you could even argue that has more upside then him, he's wearing a Flyers jersey.

He could have made the Flames out of camp ahead of Commodore, Montador, and Wallin but Sutter wisely elected to send him back to Red Deer where he has 7 goals, 7 assists, and +5 in 15 games so far (leading the team in goals, points, and +/-). :teach:

For comparison's sake, Coburn has 2 goals, 3 assists, and is a team worst -6 in 6 games. Ryan Suter has no points in three games.

Team_Spirit

10-19-2003, 04:26 AM

It's 5 years from now .. almost everyone who don't have at least 1 season in the NHL under their belt don't stand a chance . ( maybe Pitkanen on the strong Flyers if he see decent ice time (at least 20mins) )

SwedenRulez

10-19-2003, 07:16 AM

5 years is very far from now, but Pitkanen, Jay Bouwmeester and Wade Redden would be in the top 5.

I don't like making these types of lists, a lot can happen in five years. Will we even have an NHL then?

I think Redden will be number one though.

AlMo

10-19-2003, 09:17 AM

No particular order

Scott Niedermayer - people will finally notice him
Jay Bouwmeester - has all the tools
Eric Brewer - will it be in EDM though?
Chris Pronger - still can dominate
Barret Jackman - learning from Pronger and MacInnis
Robyn Regehr - he improves every year
Derek Morris - watching Blake will make him better
Rotislav Klesla - I think he'll be great once CBJ improves
Jiri Fischer - only see great things from him
Tomas Kaberle - he is so smart just need to build around him
Ed Jovanovski - might have a Norris by then

notables
Sergei Gonchar - will still be scoring 20 goals
Nick Boynton - definantly improving
Jordan Leopold - could be offensive machine
Wade Redden - you know what you're gonna get every night
Joni Pitkanen - has great potential. lets see how he does first

I_r_1337

10-19-2003, 09:27 AM

I'm not gonna go down a whole list cause I'm too tired but I think a few of the guys on there will be Jay-Bo, Steve Eminger and Pitkanen.

Are you serious? Did you watch the playoffs last year? Nieds is as close as you come to being a complete dman with the exception of Lidstrom IMO.
Of course I did but I've also watched him about 60 games in the season which is something you haven't done.

#37-#93-#27*

10-19-2003, 11:36 AM

No one mentioned Dion Phaneuf in the prospect department? :dunno:

He could have made the Flames out of camp ahead of Commodore, Montador, and Wallin but Sutter wisely elected to send him back to Red Deer where he has 7 goals, 7 assists, and +5 in 15 games so far (leading the team in goals, points, and +/-). :teach:

For comparison's sake, Coburn has 2 goals, 3 assists, and is a team worst -6 in 6 games. Ryan Suter has no points in three games.
Oh please, the guy will be in his 4th season, around the age Redden is now. He is not a top 10 dman by then and is not on a level that Pitkanen or Jbo are.

icarus

10-19-2003, 12:17 PM

Oh please, the guy will be in his 4th season, around the age Redden is now. He is not a top 10 dman by then and is not on a level that Pitkanen or Jbo are.

Oh please, people keep mentioning Coburn and Suter so if they have a chance in five years from now, so does Phaneuf. Chances are slim for all three 2003 draftees. They would be the same age Brewer and Regehr are now. As for Phaneuf, if he does indeed turn out to be like Scott Stevens and plays like Stevens did when HE was 23, he has a great chance to crack that list.

Brock

10-19-2003, 12:23 PM

Which 10 defensemen will rule this league in 5 years?
8. Garnett Exelby

Interesting Mizral....

In order for Exelby to get that high, he'd have to be the next Adam Foote. I'm guessing thats where your train of thought lies?

NYR1084

10-19-2003, 12:45 PM

No one feels that Komisarek will be a top 10 d-man in 5 years?

Thomas

10-19-2003, 02:36 PM

No one feels that Komisarek will be a top 10 d-man in 5 years?

Komisarek will be good, hopefully a #2 or 3 dman on the Habs, but unless he goes beyond his potential, theres no way hes a top 10 dman IMO. Andrei Markov would be our #1 D, and he just makes most lists.

King of Kelvington

10-19-2003, 03:18 PM

Of course I did but I've also watched him about 60 games in the season which is something you haven't done.

How do you know? :dunno:

Epsilon

10-19-2003, 05:04 PM

Niklas Lidstrom will continue to be the leagues #1 d-man until he retires or reaches the age of 40, whichever happens first. Personally I think he will still be playing in 5 years, and picking up his 7th or 8th Norris trophy.

Rattrick

10-19-2003, 05:10 PM

Some of these lists are HILARIOUS! Seriously, I am a Panther fan but with all bias aside, JBo will surely be ahead of some of the names listed. Definate homerism happening here.

Although all three of these guys put up number, I find their actual defensive play to be suspect. Maybe if Leetch played for someone other than the Rangers he'd prove me wrong and maybe Blake would've made my list if I wasn't a Wings fan.

Although all three of these guys put up number, I find their actual defensive play to be suspect. Maybe if Leetch played for someone other than the Rangers he'd prove me wrong and maybe Blake would've made my list if I wasn't a Wings fan.

Although all three of these guys put up number, I find their actual defensive play to be suspect. Maybe if Leetch played for someone other than the Rangers he'd prove me wrong and maybe Blake would've made my list if I wasn't a Wings fan.

Now I'll go read everybody else's lists, I'm sure I forgot somebody obvious.
I'm happy you mentioned Leetch, he never gets any credit while at the same time being arguably the best offensive defenseman now, but I think he'll be retired by then.

anybody think any other prospects may be able to crack the top 10? ex: Grebeshkov, Woywitka, Suter, Coburn...

Seems like Jiri Fischer should be on that list. I wonder if Barret Jackman will be there.

A Good Flying Bird*

10-19-2003, 08:13 PM

Seems like Jiri Fischer should be on that list. I wonder if Barret Jackman will be there.

Wow.
Just went throught the thread and this was the first time Fischer was named.
Wow.
Guys like Pitkanen have done NOTHING, and everyone knows it takes a while for defensemen to develop.
Fischer is big, strong, has a mean streak, he's a good skater, and he's got a great shot.
Plus, he's learning the game from Lidstrom, Chelios, Schneider, Hatcher and company. Plus, he's won a cup and played with guys like Hull, Yzerman and Shanahan.

Look out. Because Fischer could be as good or better than at least half of the people I've seen listed so far.

Guys like Pitkanen have done NOTHING, and everyone knows it takes a while for defensemen to develop.

Nothing? I have seen him do plenty, he is even better than advertised. I was shocked how good he has been now with Philly, because he has taken a giant leap since last year. But of course it takes a long time for a defenceman to develop...Pitkänen's pace at developing has been more than impressive. We'll see.

Patty Ice

10-20-2003, 08:30 AM

Has Stuart's injuries affected people's choices that much...a year ago he was considered a future Norris winner. It seems though since his concussion and now shoulder injury (not to mention an ankle injury that he was playin on in the 01-02 season), he has fallen outta people's minds or do you see him as too injury-proned now?

easton122

10-20-2003, 12:13 PM

Has Stuart's injuries affected people's choices that much...a year ago he was considered a future Norris winner. It seems though since his concussion and now shoulder injury (not to mention an ankle injury that he was playin on in the 01-02 season), he has fallen outta people's minds or do you see him as too injury-proned now?

Stuart does have a high ceiling IMO but I think he has to put a lot of things together to reach it. He also has to prove he can playing in a few 60+ games seasons IMO.

1. Chris Pronger - Still young and can dominate.
2. Andrei Markov - Improving so much it's sick.
3. Wade Redden - Very hard to find a smarter defenseman than him other than Lidstrom.
4. Rostislav Klesla - Will be the #1 guy in 10 years, IMO.
5. Ed Jovanovski - Still improving defensively and the offense is always there.
6. Jay Bouwmeester - Will add muscle and continue his rise to the Top 3.
7. Sergei Gonchar - Still a young guy as well.
8. Tomas Kaberle - Late round steal for the Leafs gets better and better.
9. Derek Morris - Still gets beat defensively but has all the tools.
10. Barret Jackman - Mean, nasty, and underrated offensively.

Darkhorse: Karel Rachunek - Some may say it's a homer pick but his potential goes unnoticed. Similar to Kaberle.

mowthecat

10-20-2003, 03:03 PM

It may not look like it now, but I would put Mike Komisarek on any top 10 list 5 years from now. He has more upside than Boumeester. It will just take Komo a bit longer because he is so big and got a late start in the game.

:handclap: Nice list...good to see Daley get some love from someone other than me

Habs4ever

10-21-2003, 08:10 AM

unlimited potential waiting to pan out, combine two togather and you've got undisputed wild card to become best NO 1 all star in the hockey, might just be the Blake type Diamond in the rogue found by montreal!!

I think that Pronger's over-rated. He hasn't improved in the last few years and hasn't shown the ability to step up consistently in the playoffs. I agree it's likely that barring injuries he'll still be a top d-man, but I think that in 5 years Jackman may be the big man in St. Louis.

But (much) more over-rated is Skoula. How can someone who will never be higher than #4 on his team be a #1 in the league? Sure he's got great puck poise :) , but he's definitely no top 10.

On the other hand, Chara looked sweet against Jersey in the EC Finals last year. He seems to be progressing nicely and will definitely be in the top ten in 5 years. His buddy Volchenkov may be in there too among people who like big open ice hits.

One name I've only seen mentioned once is Jiri Fisher. He may be a Wing but this is no homer pick (if it was I would be mentioning Dandy's marvelous finishing skills). Fisher has displayed a great deal of ability so far in both the regular season and playoffs. He still needs to show consistency over the long run but he looks great so far.

Other notables...Ohlund (nuff said), Boynton (has looked pretty good in Boston), Morris (hasn't been as outstanding in Colorado but may grow next to Foote and Blake), and I have to give a vote to Hamhuis in his first few games he's living up to the hype from scouting reports.

Winston Wolf

10-21-2003, 10:01 PM

unlimited potential waiting to pan out, combine two togather and you've got undisputed wild card to become best NO 1 all star in the hockey, might just be the Blake type Diamond in the rogue found by montreal!!
:lol: You keep telling yourself that.

Flames Draft Watcher

10-21-2003, 10:10 PM

Phaneuf looks tremendously good at age 18. I think he has the upside to crack such a list if he keeps developing.

I don't know that Leopold would make top 10 but what I do know is that a lot of you out there don't realize how good this kid will be. Flames #1 d-man in ice time so far this season with 23+ mins. Sutter trusts him for a lot more than just offense.

Vote for most ridiculous suggestion that I noticed goes to Skoula, he does not have a chance at coming anywhere near the top 10 in the league IMO.

Winston Wolf

10-21-2003, 10:14 PM

I think that Pronger's over-rated. He hasn't improved in the last few years and hasn't shown the ability to step up consistently in the playoffs. I agree it's likely that barring injuries he'll still be a top d-man, but I think that in 5 years Jackman may be the big man in St. Louis.

What can Pronger do to improve when he's been healthy? He's the only guy in the league at present time who can even compete with Lidstrom as the best d-man in the league. I don't think you can really say that Pronger is overrated, he does everything for St. Louis. Jackman will be a good d-man, but no way will he ever replace Pronger.

pepchew

10-22-2003, 04:22 AM

Has Stuart's injuries affected people's choices that much...a year ago he was considered a future Norris winner. It seems though since his concussion and now shoulder injury (not to mention an ankle injury that he was playin on in the 01-02 season), he has fallen outta people's minds or do you see him as too injury-proned now?

I just finished scanning through the previous postings and if you hadn't have brought him up I most certainly would have. He was being considered for Canada's Olympic team a few years back but injuries (surprise) prevented him from being given a chance. If he can stay relatively healthy for a few seasons he'll be top 10 for sure in 5 years. Judging by the last couple of years though, that's a big IF.

I cant believe so many people underestimate Barrett Jackman. But like usual many HF poster rate Dman on how many points they get. In 5 year Jackman is gonna be a top 5 Dman in this leauge. Problem is he'll just be a tough, stay at home Dman.

habdicted

10-22-2003, 07:05 AM

Are you serious? Did you watch the playoffs last year? Nieds is as close as you come to being a complete dman with the exception of Lidstrom IMO.

I second this, on a more offensive team this guy would have won a couple of norris trophy's so far. It's always a pleasure when I get to see him play!

habdicted

10-22-2003, 07:15 AM

Of course I did but I've also watched him about 60 games in the season which is something you haven't done.

Your obviously not a good judge of NHL talent by making this statement

John Flyers Fan

10-22-2003, 07:35 AM

I second this, on a more offensive team this guy would have won a couple of norris trophy's so far. It's always a pleasure when I get to see him play!

He's very good no doubt abou that, but the Devils are not holding him back from being a great offensive defenseman. His insticts are defense first, and that isn't just from playing with the Devils.

MotownMadman

10-22-2003, 07:53 AM

What can Pronger do to improve when he's been healthy?

Stop taking bad penalties for a start. That's the big problem St Louis as a team has in the playoffs. Perhaps I'm also judging him as a captain and that can be unfair.

He's the only guy in the league at present time who can even compete with Lidstrom as the best d-man in the league.

There's a guy on the Avs by the name of Foote who does a decent job. I've also heard of a fellow named Stephens, I think in New Jersey...

Doc_M

10-22-2003, 11:04 AM

It's true that Pronger takes bad penalties, but besides that, there isn't much to complain about. Let's wait until the end of this year to see if he's back and healthy, but last night he was +2, 3 assists ( that pass to Cajanek was something ! ) and 31 minutes of icetime, which was more than Brent Johnson and only 6 minutes less than Tommy Salo, who by the way were the starting goalies !

monster_bertuzzi

10-22-2003, 11:50 AM

When will all of you realize that Lidstrom will be long gone to Sweden in 5 years?

It's true that Pronger takes bad penalties, but besides that, there isn't much to complain about.

Consistently stepping up your game in the playoffs. That's where guys like Stevens, Foote and Lidstrom have him beat. He did a good job with the team in 2000 I think it was and they went far, but, again that's where players really show what they have.